The Pillars of Iman Discussed

1. Belief in Allah (God): This is the foundation of Islamic faith, emphasizing Tawhid (Allah's absolute oneness and indivisibility). The Quran stresses Allah's oneness, creation, and sustenance of the universe. To fulfill this, one must accept there is only one God worthy of worship, with no partners or offspring, and strengthen this belief through prayer, Quranic reflection, and observing the natural world's order.

2. Belief in the Malaikah (Angels): This involves accepting the existence of angels as spiritual beings created from light. They carry out Allah's commands, fulfill various roles such as delivering messages, recording deeds (encouraging righteous behavior), and praising Allah.

3. Belief in Kutub (Books): This is the affirmation of the divine origin of scriptures revealed by Allah to His messengers for guidance, including the Tawrat, Zabur, Injil, and Al-Quran. The Al-Quran is considered the ultimate source of guidance and truth. Its truth is supported by its linguistic beauty, consistency, preservation, fulfillment of prophecies, and comprehensive guidance for all aspects of life. Application involves studying, understanding, and integrating the teachings into daily life, especially the Quran, through practice and seeking guidance.

4.Belief in the Messengers - Tobelieve in all prophets and messengers sent by Allah, from Adam to Muhammad, the final messenger.

5. Belief in the Last Day - To believe in life after death,resurrection, judgment, Paradise, and Hellfire.

6.Belief in Qadr (Divine Decree) - To believe that everything, good or bad, happens according to Allah's knowledge, will, and wisdom.

Judgement Day signs:

Minor signs: Coming of Prophet Muhammad SAW, children disobeying parents, people competing in tall buildings, Arabia turning green, Euphrates river drying to reveal gold, treasures of the earth appearing, siege of Madinah, and the rise of Imam Mahdi (7 years of justice).

Tamim al-Dari’s hadith: He met Dajjal on an island, who asked about Baisan dates (will stop fruiting), Lake Tiberias (will dry), Zughar spring (will dry), and about the unlettered Prophet (Muhammad SAW). Dajjal said he will roam the earth 40 days except Makkah & Madinah.

Dajjal: One-eyed, born from corrupted lineage (Samiri), huge fitnah—controls rain, plants, and wealth.

Imam Mahdi: From Prophet’s family, broad forehead, sharp nose, mark on shoulder, will establish justice and join Prophet Isa AS against Dajjal.

Major signs: Smoke (Dukhan), Dajjal, descent of Isa AS, Gog and Magog (Ya’juj & Ma’juj), Beast of the Earth (Dabbah), sun rising from the west, three eclipses (east, west, Arabia), a soft wind from Yemen taking believers’ souls, and a great fire driving people to Mahsyar.

Ya’juj & Ma’juj: Descendants of Nuh, huge destructive nations, will be killed by divine plague, corpses removed by giant birds, then earth cleansed by rain.

Reverence for the Book: It is incorrect (marked with an X) to leave the Holy Qur'an open on the stand when walking away or not actively reading it. It is correct (marked with a checkmark) to gently close the Holy Qur'an to show respect and protect the scripture before leaving it or moving on.

Ablution (Wudu'): It is incorrect to read the Holy Qur'an without first performing Wudu' (ritual purification). It is correct to perform Wudu' before touching and reading the Holy Qur'an.

The final message remains: "remember to always respect the Holy Quran."

Worship in Islam is not merely a set of rituals, it is a comprehensive way of life designed to refine the human soul and maintain a connection with the Divine.

Recognition of Purpose: The primary wisdom is acknowledging that human beings were created to recognize and serve God. This provides a sense of meaning and direction.

Spiritual Discipline: Regular acts of worship (like prayer and fasting) act as a "spiritual reset," preventing the heart from becoming consumed by worldly distractions.

Moral Transformation: True worship is meant to result in better character. For example, the Quran mentions that prayer should restrain one from shameful and unjust deeds.

Inner Peace: It serves as a source of psychological comfort, offering a structured way to seek help and express gratitude.

2. Correcting Intention (Niyyah)

In Islamic theology, the value of an action is determined by the motive behind it. The Prophet Muhammad famously stated, "Actions are but by intentions."

The Filter of Deeds: An outwardly "good" deed (like charity) loses its spiritual value if done for fame or social status. Conversely, a mundane act (like eating or sleeping) becomes an act of worship if the intention is to gain strength to do good.

Sincerity (Ikhlas): Correcting the Niyyah means constantly checking the heart to ensure the action is

for the sake of God alone, rather than to please people or satisfy the ego.

Consistency: Intention is not just a "one-time" thought at the start, scholars emphasize "renewing" the intention during an act to stay focused and sincere.

3. Practicing Ihsan (Excellence)

Ihsan is often described as the highest level of faith. It represents the pinnacle of spiritual maturity.

The Definition: It is defined as "worshipping God as if you see Him; and if you cannot see Him knowing that He sees you."

Holistic Excellence: While it applies to prayer, Ihsan extends to every interaction. It means being the best possible employee, parent, neighbor, or citizen.

Inner Awareness: It moves a person from "doing the bare minimum" to "doing things with beauty and perfection." It is the transition from legalistic obedience to a relationship based on love and awe.

Every human action in Shariah is evaluated under these five categories to determine its status:

Wajib (Obligatory): An act commanded by Allah.

Performing it brings rewards (thawab), while intentionally neglecting it is a sin (e.g., the five daily prayers, fasting in Ramadan).

Sunat/Mandub

(Recommended): Acts performed by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Doing them brings extra rewards,

but omitting them is not a sin (e.g., night prayers/Tahajjud, using perfume for Friday prayer).

Harus/Mubah (Permissible): Actions that are neutral. There is no reward or punishment attached to the act itself, though your intention can turn it into a rewardable act (e.g., eating, sleeping, or choosing a profession).

Makruh (Disliked): Acts that are better to avoid. One is rewarded for avoiding them, but not punished for doing them (e.g., wasting water

while performing Wudu).

Haram (Prohibited): Acts strictly forbidden. Committing them is a sin and merits punishment, while avoiding them out of obedience to Allah is rewarded (e.g., consuming riba/usury, backbiting, or drinking alcohol).

C

2. Prayer (Solat) - The Pillar of Religion

A. Conditions for Validity (Syarat Sah)

These must be met before you start the prayer:

1. Islam: The person must be a

Muslim.

2. Sanity (Tamyiz): Must be of sound mind and able to distinguish right from wrong.

3. Entrance of Time: You cannot pray Dhuhr before the sun passes the meridian.

4. Ritual Purity: Being free from minor and major impurities (Hadas).

5. Cleanliness: Ensure the body, clothing, and place are free from physical filth (Najis).

6. Covering the Aurah: For men (navel to knees); for women (entire body except face and hands).

7. Facing the Qiblah: Facing the Kaaba in Makkah.

B. The 13 Pillars (Rukun Solat)

If any of these are missed, the prayer is invalid:

1. Niyyah: Intention in the heart.

2. Takbiratul Ihram: Saying "Allahu Akbar" to begin.

3. Qiyam: Standing upright for those physically able.

4. Reciting Al-Fatihah: Essential in every unit (Raka'ah).

5. Ruku': Bowing until the back is level.

6. I'tidal: Standing up straight after bowing.

7. Sujud: Prostrating with seven body parts touching the ground.

8. Sitting between Sujud: A brief sitting between the two prostrations.

9. Tamakninah: Maintaining stillness/calmness in steps 5, 6, 7, and 8.

10. Final Tashahhud: Reciting the final "Attahiyat."

11. Sitting for Final Tashahhud.

12. Selawat: Sending blessings to

the Prophet (PBUH) in the final sitting.

13. The First Salam: Saying "Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullah" to the right.

14. Tertib: Performing all pillars in the correct sequence.

Quranic Reference: "And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience]." Baqarah (2:43) Surah Al-

3. Purification: Wudu, Tayammum, and Nullifiers

A. Wudu (Ablution)

Pillars (Fard): 1. Intention.

2. Washing the face.

3. Washing arms to elbows.

4. Wiping the head.

5. Washing feet to ankles.

6. Sequence (Tertib).

Nullifiers (Perkara Membatalkan): 1. Exit of

anything from the two private parts (gas, urine, etc.).

2. Loss of intellect (fainting, intoxication).

3. Deep sleep where the buttocks are not firmly seated.

4. Touching the private parts with the palm without a barrier.

B. Tayammum (Dry Purification) Used when water is absent within

2.5 km of your place or harmful to health (severe wounds).

Steps: Intention, striking clean earth/dust with palms, wiping the face, and wiping the arms to the elbows.

Quranic Reference: "...But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands..."

Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:6)

4. Concessions: Jama' and Qasar (The Traveler's Prayer)

Islam provides a "Rukhsah"

(concession) for those traveling a distance of roughly 81km or more:

Jama' Taqdim: Performing the second prayer (e.g., Asr) early during the time of the first (e.g., Dhuhr).

Jama' Takhir: Delaying the first prayer (e.g., Maghrib) to be performed during the time of the second (e.g., Isha).

Qasar: Shortening a 4-raka'at prayer (Dhuhr, Asr, Isha) to 2 raka'at.

Quranic Reference: "And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer..." - Surah An-Nisa (4:101)

5. Fasting (Puasa) in Ramadan Fasting is the act of worship from dawn to sunset with specific rules:

Pillars: 1. Intention (must be made before Fajr).

2. Abstaining from things that break the fast.

Invalidators: Eating or drinking intentionally, intentional vomiting, menstruation/postnatal bleeding, and sexual intercourse during daylight hours.

Exemptions: Those who are ill, traveling, or elderly/pregnant/nursing (if it harms health) may break their fast but must make it up later or pay Fidyah.

Quranic Reference: "The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an... So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey then an equal number of other days..." Baqarah (2:185) Surah Al-

Special Obligations Summary

The Sick: If you cannot stand,sit. If you cannot sit, lie on your side. If you cannot move, use your eyes. Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:286).

Women: During menstruation/postnatal bleeding, prayer is prohibited and not made up. Fasting is prohibited but must be made up later.